How does one dry start a tank

So how does one dry start a tank. I'm using Eco-Complete. I have 3 bags for my 29 gal tank I was told this will be enough If not I have 2 1/2 bags of Flora-Max I could mix in. I have no rock or driftwood as of now{I do not like the stuff in the LFS around here}. Ive been looking on line for some stuff but nothing caught my eye.

OK then this is going to be a low tech tank for now, I do have a CO2 setup {nutra-fin diy} I was told not to wash the ECO just dump it in form it fill with water let settle the add fish.

So for a dry star from my understand is dump in the substrate form the ground shape {highs and lows} add enough water to flood the low spot just enough to have a slite puddle, then plant and cove then let sit for a week or two then ad water cycle add fish.

Now can I plant my Anubias Congensis, Red Ludwigia,or is it just the low stuff like grasses ,Glosso and such?

You got the concept down. high and low spots make it more difficult to dry start IME, plants in the low spots get too wet and plants in the high spots dry out. If I had to do it again Id make my substrate flatter. Amd most people suggest not letting the water level go above the substrate anywhere in the tank, however it hasent been a problem in mine for the last 4 months lol. If I were to do it again Id put some Miracle grow under the substrate, but some root tabs/osmocote tabs worked ok. Youll have to look up each plant you want to dry start seperately. A good amount of the plants out there will do fine!

Register Now

In order to be able to post messages on the The Planted Tank Forum forums, you must first register.
Please enter your desired user name, your email address and other required details in the form below.

User Name:

Password

Please enter a password for your user account. Note that passwords are case-sensitive.

Password:

Confirm Password:

Email Address

Please enter a valid email address for yourself.

Email Address:

Location

Your Location. As precise as you feel comfortable with.

Security Question

While balancing on a piece of wood, two inches by four inches known as a 2x4, John and his friend Sally both spotted a dalmatian inside of a truck with sirens. The animal with John and Sally is a _ _ _?

Insurance

Please select your insurance company (Optional)

Log-in

User Name

Remember Me?

Password

Human Verification

In order to verify that you are a human and not a spam bot, please enter the answer into the following box below based on the instructions contained in the graphic.